Domaine Saint Prefert

Isabel Ferrando's reputation for outstanding wines has grown every vintage since her first release in 2003. She purchased Domaine Saint-Préfert from the Serre family, who was one of the first to estate-bottle in the appellation in the 1930's; at that point, the domaine was 13.2 hectares, all in the Les Serres lieux-dit, south of the village of Châteauneuf. In 2004, she purchased more land and started making the 100% Grenache cuvée Colombis, primarily from the lieux-dit of Colombis, with sandy soil; she bottles this wine as Domaine Isabel Ferrando.

Ferrando has always farmed organically. She has very old vines in her holdings: the Grenache vines average more than 70 years old, and she still has some of the original Mourvèdre that was planted in the 1920's. Throughout each parcel, all thirteen varieties are co-planted, something that Henri Bonneau told her is, "the beginning of the complexity [of her wines.]"

There is not a secret formula here to making great wines. Ferrando has a young team and she is open to new ideas; she relies on tradition without being trapped by it. Starting in the 2009 vintage, Isabel started working with whole-cluster fermentations (without added yeasts,) finding that it increased freshness in the wines and lowered alcohol, giving the wines vibrance. Aging happens in a mix of concrete and 600L used barrels for up to 18 months.

Wine Spectator 96 "Shows impressive depth and range for the vintage, with layer upon layer of steeped fig, crushed plum and warm raspberry preserve flavors forming the core, all backed by Turkish coffee, licorice root and roasted alder notes. The finish is long and authoritative, presenting a

The 2015 Clos Beatus Ille Cotes du Rhone is 85% Grenache and 15% Cinsault fermented and aged entirely in concrete. "Medium to full with layers of blackberry, dark blueberry, roasted meat, black olives, and dried herbs. Tannins are soft and approachable and would really compliment some Lamb or

Robert Parker 98-100 "Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The celestial 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud could come very close to equaling the genius of the 2007. This is again a blend of nearly 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre, but Isabel said it did include a touch of Syrah,

Wine Spectator 97 "Ripe, pure and racy, with mouthwatering anise, steeped plum and hoisin sauce notes allied to a terrific graphite spine that carries the very lengthy finish while ganache, pepper, Turkish coffee and fresh espresso fill in on the back end. Shows the powerful structure and

Wine Spectator 97 WS TOP 100 2012 Rank 12 "Ripe, pure and racy, with mouthwatering anise, steeped plum and hoisin sauce notes allied to a terrific graphite spine that carries the very lengthy finish while ganache, pepper, Turkish coffee and fresh espresso fill in on the back end. Shows the

Wine Spectator 96 "This gushes forth, with loads of plum, blackberry and cassis that saturate the palate, while apple wood, tobacco and perfumy incense keep everything fresh and alluring through the very lengthy finish, where a lively peppery hint leaves a mouthwatering feel. Best from 2013 through

Wine Advocate 91 "There are two Châteauneufs made in 2012, the classique and the Auguste Favier, with no Collection Charles Giraud. The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape is another beautiful vintage here, and it offers classic kirsch, blackberry, roasted meats and toasted spice to go with a medium to

Robert Parker 90-92 "The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Classique is 85% Grenache and the rest Cinsault and Mourvedre. Eighty percent is aged in tank and the rest in two- to three-year-old demi-muids. This wine displays a dense purple color along with notes of bay leaf, tobacco leaf, cassis, kirsch,

Wine Spectator 95 "A range of dried mango, papaya and quince flavors are melded together, backed by additional notes of peach and persimmon. The long finish is well-gilded with brioche and roasted almond, and through it all a thread of pink grapefruit oil provides the contrast needed for balance.

Robert Parker 100 "Absolutely prodigious, and, like the other two 2007s, superior to what I predicted last year, is the utterly perfect 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud. Made from 80-year-old Grenache (60%) and 60-year-old Mouvedre (40%) and aged totally in 600-liter demi-muids, I

Wine Advocate 96 "Even better, and one of the top whites coming out of the Rhone valley, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Clairettes is an incredible blend of 100% Clairette that’s aged in demi-muid. Rich, textured and yet brilliantly focused, it displays notes of brioche, vanilla cream, white

Wine Spectator 94 "Very rich and caressing, with lovely plum sauce, melted licorice and cassis aromas and flavors all woven together and backed by ample but velvety tannins. The long, tar-stained finish shows well-integrated grip, while the fruit echoes. Best from 2012 through 2023.J.M."

Wine Spectator 94 "Sleek and pure, with superb concentration to the fig, currant paste and mocha notes, all balanced by black licorice and mineral notes that extend through the finish, which echoes with sweet tobacco, hoisin sauce and ganache, boding well for cellaring. Grenache and Cinsault. Best

Robert Parker 95 "One can't speak highly enough of the efforts by proprietress Isabel Ferrando, who has resurrected this well-known estate in Chateauneuf du Pape. This is a beautifully made wine that merits serious attention. The 2004 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier, made from 40- to

Robert Parker 88-90 "No Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud was made in 2008 because of the challenges of the vintage, but a fine 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape was produced from a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest equal parts Mourvedre, Syrah, and Cinsault. Half of this cuvee is aged in

Robert Parker 90-92 "The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Auguste Favier is composed of 85% Grenache and 15% Cinsault. Among the deepest, richest, and fullest of the 2008s I tasted, it offers ripe scents of berry fruit, licorice, herbs, and pepper followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with

Robert Parker 90-92 "The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest equal parts Mourvedre, Syrah, and Cinsault. Half of it is aged in 600-litre demi-muids and the rest in cement tanks. The wine is delicious, showing the brilliant typicity of the appellation in its notes of